40 Days to Spark more energy and Sparkle!

This January I’d like to try to give you some ideas and tips to help make your new year sparkle!  Each day of January and on into Feb I’ll try to ignite a fire in you to do something different, learn something new or see things with a new perspective.

Here we go:

WEEK 1 :

Sunday, January 1st – Resolutions

Try to make one resolution that you just know you can keep.  Think outside the box.  Not the usual, “get in better shape” routine.  Think of things you really like to do and put that on your list.  Whether it be to read a new book each month, if you enjoy reading, or try a new fitness class each week, if you love the group exercise classes.  Let’s set ourselves up for success!  Mine is to get a massage every month, truth be told I’d like to make it 2 per month, but I’m going to start with one per month so that I don’t feel like I’m setting myself up to fail.

Monday, January 2nd – Meal planning

Take 15 minutes to plan out your lunches or your dinners this week.  Do you have everything you need in your pantry and fridge (I call this inventory).  Make a run to the grocery store if not and stock up.  If you eat out a lot, plan on choosing healthier restaurant options so that you know you are starting the new year off on the right track with healthy meals at a restaurant.  Let’s make it even one little bit easier….how about you just make sure you have healthy snacking options this week?  Carrots, almonds, energy bars, string cheese, hard boiled eggs.  This little change can make a big difference in your energy level and give you that extra spark of energy to tackle the week ahead.  There you have it….3 options to choose from.

  • Plan your weekly meals
  • Choose your best eating out options and stick to them
  • Plan your snacks

Tuesday, January 3rd – Get Fired Up and Breath

Re-entry into the workplace after a long weekend or more can be tough, here is a simple breathing exercise to get you energized.

Inhale deeply and imagine that you are breathing in energy.  Visualize your breath as fuel that’s energizing your body and mind and revving you up.

Exhale and visualize the fatigue and stress exiting your body.

Repeat for 10 full breaths and you should feel recharged, refreshed and refocused.

Repeat as needed throughout your day!

Wednesday, January 4th – Dress to Impress

It’s Hump Day!  Choose your absolute favorite outfit or accessory to wear today!  When you feel like a winner, you will act like a winner!  Dressing to impress gives our confidence a boost that can last all day.

Thursday, January 5th – Less is More!  20 minutes of cardio

Studies show that going hard for 20 minutes gives your metabolism a bigger boost than going at a moderate pace for 60 minutes.  Hit your favorite piece of cardio equipment for 20 minutes on the highest possible setting you can maintain for 20 minutes and call it done!   Seriously, that’s it!

Friday, January 6th – TGIF – The. Goal, Is. Flexibility

Try a yoga class today.  Wind down the week with a stretch class, a yoga class, a meditation class or do some easy stretches on your own.  We often skip the stretching because we are in a rush.  Take an extra 5 minutes to stretch after your cardio session today or skip the cardio and do a noon yoga class.  Being flexible is also about being flexible in your mind as well as your body!

Saturday, January 7th – Reconnect with Friends

The holidays were a mad rush of trying to get to all the holiday parties, luncheons, cocktail  parties and so on.  I had to tell a couple of friends that it would have to wait until the new year.  Well…..here is your chance…..set a date for lunch, brunch and walk or just a phone call to your friends that you weren’t able to connect with over the holidays.

Ok, there you have it!

  • Resolutions
  • Meal Planning
  • Breath
  • Dress to Impress
  • 20 minutes of High Intensity Cardio
  • TGIF – Flexibility in Body and Mind – Stretch
  • Reconnect – Reach out to a friend

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